Fear

 

We are all well acquainted with the emotion that bears a choke hold.  It's ruthless.  It's torment.  It's an enemy to faith, a thief that robs you of life - imprisons you to a false reality. 

Anxiety, depression, doubt, worry, hurt, anger, sadness, low self-esteem, unworthiness, hatred, prejudice.  It comes disguised underneath many different emotions, but it all comes down to one thing:

 

FEAR.

 

The paralysis for some is the dread of what could happen years down the road, anxiety associated with an unpredictable economy, and for many it is the torment of what today, the next hour, the next minute will bring. 

"...fear has torment." 1 John 4:18a

Fear is not only an emotion, but a spiritual force. It is very similar to faith in that both have an unshakable belief in an unseen future. Fear trusts circumstances, natural predictions, the enemy's lies, and self.  Faith trusts God and what His Word says.  Fear is negative faith. 

 

Fear is an enemy of God.  It in essence rips Him of His lordship in our lives. We become self focused and not God focused.  We put our trust in the wisdom of man rather than in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:5).  We no longer see Him for Who He is and who He desires to be in our lives...  He solely becomes a gateway to Heaven, but in our day to day living He is diminished to a dusty figure placed on a shelf.   

God is love, and the Bible says that Perfect Love casts out fear.  God is THAT perfect love. 

 

"There is no fear in love (dread does not exist), but perfect love turns fears out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment.  He who is afraid has not fully experienced His perfect love." 1 John 4:18

Father, we want to know Your love... Your love is our freedom.  Your love removes shackles. Your love delivers us from all fear.  You are not what our circumstances look like. You are not what the latest trends define You as.  We commit to growing in the knowledge of who You truly are as defined in Your Word, and through that knowledge - growing in intimacy with You... We know that in experiencing that intimate love - fear has no more room in our lives. Thank You for Your love and the hope and peace it brings.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEyRoj2sFc4

 

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

Transparency

 

 

 

Why is it that you hide from Me

As if I do not see?

Why do you remain silent

When your very thoughts I read?

You want to feel My presence

But you can’t see past the walls

that hardness of heart built over the years

When will they ever fall?

I need you to be transparent

Speak to Me what you feel

If you want to build a relationship

You have to be real

I’m not looking for fancy speeches

Don’t waste time trying to impress

I just need you to begin to speak to Me

And allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest

Share with Me your struggles

No matter how shameful they may be

I already know the temptations you face

I’m the One to set you free

You fear the thought of surrender

Afraid I will strip everything from you

Do you really think I will do you harm?

I only want what is best for you

There’s freedom in your surrender

Time to give up the fight

Your heart will never find the rest it needs

Until you and I are right

Be open to Me – and be transparent

No more excuses to not even try

I can see you snuggled behind your “comfortable” walls

So why even try and hide?

 

-etb

El Roi

 

 

 

An ever-present comfort 

That transcends my sight

Who I Can’t See holds my head

Through the tear-filled nights

 

He sees the piercing arrows

That tear me apart

From the one called to protect

Abba’s daughter’s heart

 

Silence and confusion

Uncertainty and fear

The crushing spirit of control

Left lost and insecure

 

From Heaven He watches

Disturbed by what He sees

Time to shake what can be shaken

On this sadistic scene
 

Deep calls out to deep

He enlightens my sight

Courage for the moment

To stay strong through that night

 

No hurt had gone past His eyes

He watched it take its toll

The Sea Opener makes a way of escape

From what’s destroying my soul

 

The aftermath not easy

Flashbacks pierce my heart

Fear shows up with its cruel smile

To try to tear what’s left apart

 

Breathing peace into my heart

Support and love He sends

His healing hand will get me to

A life that He intends

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter Story

 

Twelve men left all and followed Him

Miracles they had seen

They watched Him heal all who were sick

Those with unclean spirits were made clean

But one follower named Judas Iscariot

Betrayed Him with a kiss

Handed Him over to the chief priests

To be scourged and put to death

He was mocked by those that held Him

“So tell us, are You the Christ?”

“You wouldn’t believe Me if I told you,” He said

For they accused Him of speaking lies

“Are you the Son of God?” they stammered

He responded, “Yes, I am He”

Accusations of blasphemy filled the land

An act deserving the death penalty

They all condemned Him to be put to death

As they struck Him and spit in His face

Even one of His disciples whom He loved very much

Denied ever seeing His face

Carrying Him away; they delivered Him to Pilate

“Are you the King of the Jews?” Pilate sneered

“You say rightly that I am a King,” Jesus said

“But My kingdom is not from here.”

Jesus, the Christ, and Barabbas, a murderer

Stood before the multitude

By custom one prisoner could be released

The one whom the people choose

“Away with this Man; release to us Barabbas,”

Insistently the people cried

“Then what shall I do with Jesus, the Christ?”

They shouted, “Let Him be crucified.”

A purple robe they placed on His body

A crown of thorns twisted on His head

“Hail, King of the Jews,” they mocked

As blood streamed from His head

His back took brutal beatings

His head they struck with a rod

Spitting into His face they scorned

“Save Yourself if You’re the Son of God!”

He didn’t fight back to prove who He was

For He knew His hour had arrived

To fulfill the very purpose for why He had come

For a lost people He would have to die

As they drove the cold nails in His hands and feet

His body exposed for all to view

Jesus cried, “Father, forgive them”

“For they know not what they do.”

Blasphemous words echoed throughout

Gross darkness encamped the land

And with His last breath He shouted aloud

“Father, I commit My spirit into Your hands.”

On the third day since His burial

An angel descended from Heaven

The earth quaked; the stone rolled away

The tomb was empty, for Jesus had risen

Two women mourned nearby the tomb

For they thought His body had been stole

The angel approached them and declared

“Rejoice, for He has arose!”

Quickly they fled to tell the disciples

Their hearts filled with great joy and fear

Some of them rejoiced while others doubted

And then in their midst Jesus appeared

They fell at His feet and worshipped

As He blessed them with His hands

“Go into all the world and tell them of Me,

I won’t be back ‘til it’s reached every land.”

“Remember you're not of this world

If you've received Me as your Lord

Be not like the world; keep from all evil

So that you may receive the final reward.”

“It’s time for Me to leave now,

You must carry out My ministry

I give you the authority to be My hands and feet

With My name you’ll set many free.”

“For it won’t be long before I return

For those who live for Me

They are who I will take as My bride

To Heaven for eternity.”

“Keep watch for the hour is so near

Be prepared to meet Me again

For in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye

As I am now, I will appear again.”

-etb

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOY0mjjmx8Y

 

I AM

 

 

 

I sense Your presence in the breeze

I know You're breathing life in me

A shattered heart

Placed in Your hands

Putting my trust

in the Great I AM

 

Your loving voice

Calls out to me

"You shall know the Truth

and it will set you free."

 

You reveal to me

All who You are

"I AM your All in all

The Bright Morning Star"

  I AM Agape Love
My anger is slow
I AM the God of Compassion
Lover of your soul

I AM the Whisperer

That gently speaks to You

I AM Alpha and Omega

I came to make things new

 I AM Mercy and Grace

Forgiver of your sins

I AM the Most High

I will stand in your defense

I AM your Comfort

Your Provider, Your Friend

A Faithful Father

My love never ends

 

I AM Wisdom

Your Shepherd, your Guide

I AM the God who sees

Every tear you've cried

 

I AM your Hiding Place

Your Rest, your Calm

I AM your Safe Shelter

From every storm

I AM your Hope

I AM Faithful and True
The Author of your life

Who came to deliver you

I AM the Bread of Life

The filler of your heart

The God of new beginnings

Who gives you a fresh start

I AM the Light of the world

The One to be revealed

I AM the Prince of Peace

I AM the God who heals

 I AM your Redeemer

The only One who saves

The perfect Lamb of God

For you, is why  I came

 I AM the Resurrection

I AM Absolute Truth

The Anointed and Chosen One

Who has chosen you

 

I AM the Vine

Living Water for your soul

Refreshing comes from Me

I AM the God who makes you whole."

 Such depth to who You truly are

In awe – I humbly stand

My everything, my every need

Found in You, the great I AM!